We are very happy to have several hummingbirds that show up pretty regularly in our Magnolia yard. I knew they can be attracted by the color red, and I knew they like to feed on sugar water so we set our feeder up accordingly. Then we sat back and watched.

We also worked on attracting orioles by using an orange colored feeder, fresh oranges and grape jelly to tempt them. It worked well, even if other birds also like oranges.

What I was not expecting was to see hummingbirds feeding off the grape jelly! Bonus! Makes sense considering the sugar content and texture, so perhaps this is a tip some of you looking to attract hummingbirds (Joey, Chris etc) could use.

Is it ok to keep one if you really really really like it or do you have to re-plant it somewhere?

Found this gem a couple days ago and I’m having a hard time letting it go…

So mean.

Saturday, August 10^th 3-7pm at Rockport’s American Legion Hall Bandstand on Back Beach
Menu: hot, boiled lobster, clam chowder, corn on the cob, a roll, watermelon, and a soda or water. There will also be a cash menu of burgers, hot dogs, chips, beer and wine.
Live entertainment by Two Weeks from Everywhere
Advance tickets are $27.50 person, $35 per person. Advance tickets are available from the John Tarr Store, Village Silversmith, any Rockport Rotarian, or by calling 603-721-1038.
Proceeds will benefit Rockport Rotary Club’s community and international service projects.
Lobsterfest will be followed by the town of Rockport’s annual fireworks show, and the town will be illuminated for the occasion.
More information is available by visiting www.rockportrotary.org.

A couple of modest examples of the outstanding beauty that surrounds us.

As a kid, a rainy summer day in Gloucester in the 1960s meant a movie at the theater on Main Street, Candle Pin Bowling by the dreaded rotary, a museum, or arts and crafts at home with WSBK on the TV as background noise. When it came to arts and crafts, it was a mix of writing and addressing postcards my mother insisted my sister and I send to friends and relatives before school started in the fall, and my weird, creative, warped mind screwing with those postcards. My mother blamed it on MAD Magazine, which is why I read it. Years later I would work for MAD, so there you go, mom!

Decades before the computer, email or Photoshop, I would sit and cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers, then using gobs of Elmer’s Glue to paste them onto the postcards. Each one a piece of art. No longer would I hear how anyone got the same postcard, and considering there were only six different postcards available at Mal’s (then Ame’s, now a giant Stop& Shop), it was quite an accomplishment.

During the 1980s I was able to make color copies of postcards I was still defacing. I now have folders full of them, from cities around the country, but Gloucester will always be my favorite place to make the recipients wonder if the town is a little too weird.

“Kaboom” J. Schneider

U.S. Dory Elimination Races

The International Dory Racing Committee will hold it’s elimination races off Niles Beach Saturday August 3rd at 9 AM.  All racing fans are encouraged to attend!!  Those dues paying members who plan to race must attend sign ups Friday evening August 2nd at St. Peter’s Square at 6 PM or email before 12 noon.  These races are strictly for 2 person teams in the following categories:  Juniors (men under 19), Women, Mixed Doubles, Seniors (Men Open) and Master’s (Men over 50), and will determine who will represent the US against Canada in the upcoming International Races in Lunenburg Nova Scotia on August 17th.  If needed there will be a finals race on Monday night at 6 PM at Niles beach.
Please share this with friends and family.  It will be a great day of racing, uniquely Gloucester, and fun for all!